Sensex closes flat on special trading day

March 22, 2014 14:14 IST

In a range-bound trading, the BSE benchmark Sensex ended a shade higher by 1.57 points in the special 90-minute trading on Saturday as funds refrained from making any major commitments in the absence of global cues.

The 30-share index, which has gained a moderate 13.66 points in the previous session, rose by 1.57 points to 21,755.32, after moving between 21,778.92 and 21,725.52.

In a similar fashion, the wide-based National Stock Exchange index Nifty advanced 1.70 points to 6,494.90. The gauge touched the day's high of 6,502.65 and a low of 6,481.35.

The stock exchanges conducted a special live trading session between 1115 hrs to 1245 hrs to enable the National Stock Exchange (NSE) test its software.

Brokers said the market moved in a limited range as directionless investors and funds refrained from undertaking any major transactions due to weekend closure of global markets.

In 30-BSE index kitty stocks, 15 gained while other 15 ended with gains.

The Healthcare sector index gained the most by rising 0.66 per cent to 10,325.55 followed by Consumer Durable index by 0.39 per cent to 6,252.07. Auto index rose by 0.36 per cent to 12,771.75 and oil and gas index by 0.26 per cent to 9,078.66. Both leading bourses conducted a live trading session to test the disaster recover site (DRS).

The exchanges have also informed that shares purchased for delivery in the previous session, will not be available for selling during the special session today.